Paekākāriki poet, Helen Heath, just won big time at the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards for her poetry collection, Are Friends Electric? Here she chats to two other local poets, Maria McMillan and daughter Lily McMillan. MM: So, Helen, congratulations. You've done yourself, your writing … [Read more...] about O, poetry! O, Helen Heath!
Run rabbit
circa 2013 The clocks in Kerrin’s kitchen layerin a syncopated tic-tic, toc-tocand when she sets the kitchen timerthe third layer is a running stitch oftictictictictictictictictictic filling the whole room and Gordon rattleswhen he walks. At the Nurse Maude Hospiceshop we are hunting for … [Read more...] about Run rabbit
A restless person’s guide to a walking meditation
I practice yoga, I’ve meditated. But no matter, a vicarious enjoyment of other people’s travels and lives, laced with envy and a touch of masochism, works its way under my skin. I am constantly distracted from the ‘here and now’ by the temptation of other places. As I write, there are … [Read more...] about A restless person’s guide to a walking meditation
How does your sun?
In Alison Holst’s sunset the sea creams like butter wind serrates the shallowson the earth’s warm crust For Daniel Vettori, the sun dips over a shimmering pitch knocks out distant island stumps spins on towards the clouds As the sun sets for Mel Gibson Barocca slips into blue Tequila fizzes … [Read more...] about How does your sun?
The return
And again I see the long pouring headland,And smoking coast with the sea high on the rocksThe gulls flung from the sea, the dark wooded hillsSwarming with mist, and mist low on the sea. And on the surf-loud beach the long spent hulksThe mats and splintered masts, the fires kindledOn the wet sand, … [Read more...] about The return
For Preservation
Jenny Clark writes about the heritage of our Beach Road buildings and the merit in saving them. Paekākāriki is a village in every sense of the word. Its geographical position — bounded by steep hills, the ocean and Queen Elizabeth Park — make it a distinct entity, unlikely to be … [Read more...] about For Preservation
Meet the locals #3
Suzie’s parents first settled here when they were balloted for one of five houses built in Paekākāriki for returned servicemen after the Second World War. Suzie left New Zealand just after her parents moved into it and married in Australia. Her husband Ted was a marine engineer at sea, then … [Read more...] about Meet the locals #3
Taupō Swamp
The first time I became aware of Taupō Swamp was when the Queen came to visit. A platform was erected atop a small grassy knoll beside State Highway One. From here the Queen could stand, her back to the traffic, to admire the sea of flax, and perhaps wave royally across its expanse at commuters on … [Read more...] about Taupō Swamp
No company today
Sunday alone, legging up Hemi Matenga powered by timtams and how fit I wasten years ago. Tripping on roots sitting uplike suitcase handles on the clay hard angles. No company today but crisp leavescompound, serrated, the young fern coils.Tonight scallops and beer in Whangarei.And here I see only … [Read more...] about No company today
Goose summer, Whareroa Farm
Today we dawdle up the north-east valley track,inclined together on the edge of sun and shade.Late April, and decline – the year’s and yours – feels gentlein this spread of after-season summer. The sky is crazed with gossamer.We might not have noticed if we hadn’t pausedto lounge against the … [Read more...] about Goose summer, Whareroa Farm